Faithful Answers

Have you ever read Acts 12:1-17?

The persecution of believers in Christ was rampant . . . and the apostle Peter was thrown in prison. But “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (verse 5). The believers gather together in someone’s home, and in the midst of their prayers, an angel of the Lord appears to Peter in the prison, removes his chains, and leads him out of captivity. Then Peter makes his way to the home where the other believers are praying. After being recognized by the servant girl, Peter is kept outside the closed door.

Just imagine that you were Peter . . . You were captured, probably tortured and ridiculed, thrown into prison, and awaiting a public trial that will most likely lead to death. Then an angel of the Lord wakes you up, removes your chains, leads you out of your cell, past two sets of guards, and straight to the city gate. Then the gate miraculously opens by itself, you walk through, and the angel just disappears. So you make your way to your friends’ home to rejoice with them about these amazing events. And after all of this . . . you’re left standing alone outside a closed door AFTER the realization of who you are by a servant girl. And so you just stand outside knocking continuously on the closed door . . . in the hopes that someone will eventually answer and let you in!!! And if that wasn’t enough, the other individuals present – your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ – don’t even believe the servant girl’s claims. Their disbelief is followed by astonishment! Remember . . . they’re praying for Peter’s safe release. And when God answers . . . they are shocked and surprised. Didn’t they believe that God heard their prayers? Didn’t they have faith in God’s abilities? And why didn’t they trust that He would answer them?

Well, before we become too judgmental . . . don’t we do the same thing today? I’d like to share an example from my recent trips to Ukraine and Kazakhstan (in the former Soviet Union). I, along with several other travelers, was covering a story about American missionaries who are enabling and mobilizing Ukrainian believers to go into Kazakhstan as short-term or long-term missionaries. Whew! Understand? Anyway . . . I decided to send prayer requests and praises to folks back home (via cell phone text messages) throughout our trip. I knew that God would hear the prayers of His children. But honestly . . . I didn’t know how many people would actually be praying or whether or not God would answer. I’m not proud of my doubt, but thankfully I’m a fast learner. J Before I explain further . . . let me just let you read my text messages for yourself!

Thursday, September 7^th

Hey! Please pray for us to sleep well tonight. We have been traveling nonstop: plane flights, 6-hr drives, etc. Each night has been in a different city: central Ukraine then the southern coast and now out west. We’re all exhausted and are just beginning our travels – with another 6-hr drive tomorrow afternoon. Please pray! Thanks. ~Margie

Friday morning, September 8th

Please pray for no rain in Kiev, Ukraine, for the next few days, because we have mostly outdoor taping to do. Also . . . we’re having difficulty lining up transportation and a translator for next week in Kazakhstan. Thanks for your prayers! ~Margie

Friday evening, September 8th

PRAISE: We have all agreed that last night was the best night of sleep that any of us have had since arriving here. THANK YOU for your prayers! ~Margie

Saturday, September 9th

PRAISE: no rain today! God answered your prayers!!! Thank you! PRAYER REQUEST: We feel like we’re under attack. A crew member’s brother had a heart attack yesterday, our hostess is sick, there are major equipment failures, and everyone is on edge. We all appreciate your prayers! ~Margie

Sunday, September 10th

PRAISE: no rain today, the video guy’s brother is out of the hospital, our hostess is feeling better, and we’ve fixed some of the equipment problems! God is hearing and answering! There is power in your prayers. Thanks!!! PRAYER REQUEST: tomorrow’s taping includes hostess segments, an interview, and ministry at an orphanage. It’s a long day and our last in Kiev – before heading to Kazakhstan. Please pray that all gets accomplished. ~Margie

Tuesday, September 12th

PRAISE: We completed all that was needed in Ukraine. PRAYER: we just landed in Moscow, where we have a layover before flying to Karaganda, Kazakhstan. We will arrive very early tomorrow morning, and then we have a full day of taping before catching an overnight train to our next location. Thanks for praying! ~Margie

Wednesday, September 13th

PRAISE: we got the video we needed today in Karaganda. PRAYER: we’re on the overnight train right now, and we just found out that the only hotel in Pavlodar (Kazakhstan) doesn’t have any available rooms tomorrow night. There is no other place to stay, and we also have a full schedule tomorrow – beginning the moment we arrive. Please pray for God’s provision. ~Margie

Thursday, September 14th

PRAISE: once more God answered your prayers! We now have hotel rooms for tonight, and we got more than we hoped for on video today. PRAYER: we have several interviews tomorrow, and we need to get some more cultural shots before another overnight train ride. Busy, busy, busy! But things are coming together for a story. Praise God! ~Margie

Sunday, September 17th

Hey, everyone! It’s about 4am Sunday morning, and we’re heading to the Karaganda airport. We arrive in Kiev (via Moscow) late tonight. Then we leave for the States early tomorrow (Monday) morning. I’ll arrive in Florida early Tuesday morning. Almost home! J ~Margie

I think back to when I was on this trip overseas. At first I was “astonished” at God’s answering my prayer requests . . . and at the fact that people were actually praying. And then I began to count on it. In fact, other team members began to give me prayer requests to include in my text messages, because we were all trusting that each and every one of them would be answered. And they were! Wow! God is so incredibly amazing!!! (And it shouldn’t surprise a single one of us. Lesson learned.)

For those of you that were faithfully praying. . . THANK YOU!!!

Chain Reaction

A young family of believers in western Ukraine prays for direction. An International Mission Board missionary serving God in Kiev points the way. And people in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan hear the Gospel. Regardless of any obstacles, this Ukrainian family journeys to a foreign land for the purpose of glorifying God and spreading His name among those who have never heard the Good News.

They need our prayers. Please pray . . . now. For wisdom and guidance. For health - especially for their son. For persistant faith. For complete dependence on God. For Jesus Christ to clearly be seen through their lives. It will only take a minute of your time. And it could make an eternal difference in the lives of the people they encounter. Please pray.